By Melanie Patterson

The North Jefferson News



There is one word that would describe the general public this week regarding the legal use of fireworks: Confused.

With the state of Alabama in a drought, the Alabama Forestry Commission has set rules regarding the use of fireworks for today’s July Fourth holiday.

In addition, many cities and towns have also passed ordinances regarding the sale and use of fireworks.

The differing rules from one municipality to another have left people unsure of what is legal this week when it comes to celebrating Independence Day with the tradition of fireworks.

Jefferson and Blount counties are among 40 Alabama counties that the Alabama Forestry Commission has placed in a “drought emergency” status.

An Alabama Forestry Commission press release states: “Under the Declaration of Emergency Drought order it is unlawful ‘for any person to … discharge any type of skyrockets with sticks or any rockets or missiles with fins or rudders … until said declaration is lifted.’”

With the July Fourth holiday today, the shooting of fireworks is of major concern to officials across the state, including here in northern Jefferson County.

The cities of Kimberly, Gardendale and Fultondale have banned the sale and use of all forms of fireworks, not just the missile type.

However, the cities of Warrior and Morris are complying with the state regulations, which allow for the use of sparklers, firecrackers and similar fireworks.

Those cities are urging fireworks users to practice extreme caution, however.

Morris Fire Chief Ryan Alexander asks people to thoroughly wet down the area before and after they use fireworks.

He said the fire department is not taking extra precautions today, but is counting on people to obey the restrictions regarding aerial fireworks.

“We’re just going to try to keep an eye out,” he said.

Fireworks sellers themselves are also asking people to use fireworks safely.

They have removed bottle rockets and other aerial fireworks from their shelves, in accordance with the state ban on such fireworks.

“Anything on a stick sprays too many sparks on the ground,” said Phillip Brown, store manager with Crazy Bill’s Fireworks. Brown is working at the temporary fireworks shop across Decatur Highway from the U.S. Postal Service in Gardendale.

“We’re telling people to use caution and be safe with them (fireworks), especially as dry as it is,” said Brown. “It doesn’t take but a little bit to start a fire.”

“We’re all in a learning experience with this,” said Fred Berry, with Fireworks Unlimited.

Berry said that business is slow right now at his two fireworks stores because people are confused about what they can and can not use.

He has Fireworks Unlimited stores at Interstate 65 exits 282 in Warrior and 299 in Cullman.

As the Declaration of Emergency Drought order states, the banned fireworks include “skyrockets with sticks or missiles with fins or rudders.”

Berry said fireworks that are still legal include multi-effect items that shoot straight up into the air; reloadables, such as items where one drops balls into a tube; firecrackers; and items like sparklers.

“We have removed every rocket and every missile” from the shelves, said Berry. He said that everything that remains in his stores are legal according to the state restrictions.

“What we tell people when they come out is to first obey your city and town ordinance,” said Berry.

He recommends, like Chief Alexander, that people wet the area where they will be shooting fireworks and keep water close by in case a small fire does start.

“All fireworks are safe by following the printed instructions on the fireworks,” said Berry. “Even if they malfunction, they’re still safe.”